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Ecosystem Explorer

Activity

Discover How Living and Nonliving Things Work Together

Go on scavenger hunt to discover and understand the elements that make up an ecosystem, including both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. How do the living things depend on the non-living things in this ecosystem?

Science Seed

Biotic elements are living things like plants, animals, insects, fungi, and microorganisms. Abiotic elements are non-living things such as soil, rocks, water, air, sunlight, and temperature. Abiotic elements, like sunlight, water, and soil, provide the right conditions for plants and animals to live. For example, plants use sunlight to make food, and animals need clean air to breathe. Biotic elements, which are living things, like plants and animals, use these abiotic elements to grow and survive. They work together like a big team to keep the environment healthy and balanced! Changes in one element can have a trickle down effect throughout the entire ecosystem, showing the interconnectedness of all living and nonliving components within a natural environment.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Anywhere PEEP

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.